In five seasons with Milwaukee, Bucks won division championship each year

Walter J. Kennedy Citizenship Award (1978)

Oscar Robertson Leadership Award (1984)

President NBA Players Association (1980-84)

Jackie Robinson Award for service to youth, good citizenship and leadership (1981)

Chairman, NBA Stay in School Program

Enshrined in Michigan Sports Hall of Fame (1990)

Appeared in movie, The Fish That Saved Pittsburgh

Bob Lanier biography

During his 14-year NBA career with the Detroit Pistons and Milwaukee Bucks, Bob Lanier was the model of consistency. His sweeping left-hand hook and dominating inside play made him one of the most feared big men of his era. Opposing centers had to keep a watchful eye on Lanier because he had an equally imposing outside game. His sweet shooting touch from the perimeter placed him in a rarified class of being a true inside/outside force. He proved this as an eight-time All-Star and MVP of the 1974 game. Lanier’s career numbers -19,248 points (20.1 ppg) and 9,698 rebounds (10.1 rpg) – still rank among the top 20 in NBA records.

Lanier began his professional career in auspicious fashion-he was the number one choice of the Detroit Pistons in the 1970 draft and was later named to the NBA’s All-Rookie team. Lanier graduated from St. Bonaventure, near his native Buffalo, NY. He holds St. Bonaventure records for scoring (27.6 ppg) and rebounding (15.7 rpg) and was a three-time All-America. His high school, collegiate and professional (Milwaukee) jerseys have all been retired. In 1989, and following his playing career, Lanier had served as the National Chairman of the NBA’s “Stay In School” program. In 1978, he was selected by the basketball press as recipient of the J. Walter Kennedy Citizenship Award. In 1981, the YMCA presented Lanier with the Jackie Robinson Award for service to youth, good citizenship and leadership. In fact, Lanier’s diplomacy both on and off the court led him to the presidency of the NBA Players Association. Lanier became an assistant coach with the Golden State Warriors prior to the 1994-95 season, and assumed head coaching duties during the season, compiling a 12-25 record in that brief coaching stint.